THE importance of under-water archaeology to Scotland is being showcased with the help of a team of specialists.
The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine is hosting the Beneath The Waves exhibition until September.
It is the result of a collaboration between maritime explorer Graeme Bruce, underwater photographer Lawson Wood and underwater artist Christina Riley.
James McLean, senior curator at the museum, said: “Eva Bukowska, our exhibition and events officer, organised it all. We have a rolling schedule of exhibitions, and this idea came together to highlight importance of underwater archaeology to Scotland.
“It shows the amazing marine life Scotland has to offer and you get a taste if you come down to the museum. We have such wonderful natural landscapes here and it really is something to be celebrated.”
McLean said working alongside the experts has paid off. He said: “It was totally essential to work with them. We would do our own research and use some of our own material but we knew we wanted to speak to the experts in the field and highlight their work.”
Among the main attractions are two rare ceramic bowls by Glasgow-based Bell’s Pottery that were recovered from an 1857 iron steamship SS Eagle off Lamlash Bay in Arran by Graeme Bruce and his team in 2024.
The ship sank in November 1859 after colliding with a sailing boat and it resulted in the loss of 11 lives. McLean said: “It has also been popular due to Graeme Bruce allowing us to be the first place to show off his findings and people have wanted to come see them.”
Photographer Wood has 60 years of underwater experience and more than 54 books published. Much of his work is on display at the exhibition and helps to reveal the world of marine life such as colourful tropical fish, seals and corals.
Wood said: “Eva came across me on Instagram, got in touch and asked me to submit photographs from our local waters to be a part of the exhibition. It was a delight and an honour to be invited to be a part of it.”
Riley is an underwater artist who had already partnered with the museum through her permanent residence for her Nature Library that is open to public every Sunday to come see the themed books she has on offer.
In 2022, she spent two weekends in residence at the Argyll Hope Spot which is a protected place that is a part of a global initiative by Mission Blue that highlights areas critical to the health of the ocean.
She has written a book about her experience that will be out in November. Riley said: “Eva and the team have put together this incredible exhibition together, it feels like you’re walking underwater.
“It is fantastic, they are really celebrating how exciting the ocean is and that is the theme that I really want to focus on.”
The museum said the exhibition has been received well, with many visitors excited to see a world they did not know much about. McLean said: “The reception has been really positive, people have been really enjoying it.
“It’s really popular, which has been helped by how much the local community has been interested in it.
“There is so much for people to see. I think people from looking at our photographs would have an awakening to the weird and wonderful colours of marine life around our shores.”
Riley added: “You never know what it could introduce you to because there is something for everyone. I just hope that people see something that they have never seen before or look at the ocean in a new way.”
“Here is another world of amazing creatures and colours, you don’t have to go to warm tropical seas to get the amazing colours of marine life we have here. It is here for everybody to enjoy,” Woods said.
Beneath the Waves also features artefacts from the museum’s national maritime heritage collection and exhibits on loan from North Ayrshire Heritage Trust.
Visitors can learn more about free diving and how it has advanced our understanding of marine archaeology and conservation.
Riley added: “Having these spaces where these things can be brought together and the public can see is great. People get to see something new, beautiful and exciting.”
Entry to the exhibition is part of admission to the museum which is open daily from 10am-5pm. The exhibition runs until September 13.
